IRACST – Engineering Science and Technology: An International Journal (ESTIJ), ISSN: 2250-3498

Vol.5, No.4, August 2015

MAGNETIZING INRUSH CURRENT

ENGR. FAMOUS E. AKPOYIBO. MNSE, MNATE

Engineering Technology Department,

Delta State School of Marine Technology, Burutu. Delta State, Nigeria
febiowei@[Link] 08037390301, 08057122446

Abstract

This paper discusses magnetizing inrush achieve steady and reliable electricity supply
current in transformer. Magnetizing inrush from transmission and distribution to
current is a current which occurs in consumers. Its maintenance and replacement
transformer during switching on. The main is important, since a transformer out of
objective is to examine the cause and effects service will lead to load shedding in some
of magnetizing inrush current on transformer. cases, disruption of power supply, and loss of
The paper also suggests measures to remedy revenue to both supply authority and
dangers posed by magnetizing inrush current consumers. Hence, no effort should be spared
in transformers. Theoretical approach using to protect it from damage or malfunctioning.
secondary sources. Transformer is critical in
Magnetizing inrush current in transformer is a
the power supply system; hence damage
phenomenon that designer, installers,
arising from magnetizing inrush current need
operators and maintenance personnel must
to be properly understood, appropriate
understand. For effective utilization of this
remedial methods employed to achieve
equipment, there is every need to evaluate the
continuity of reliable service.
causes, effects and how to reduce such inrush
Introduction currents. This is the focus of the study.

A transformer is one vital machine employed Magnetizing inrush current in transformer is

in an electrical power system to the current which is drawn by a transformer at
the time of energizing the transformer [1]. It
results from the reapplication of system
voltage to a transformer which has been

273
 IRACST – Engineering Science and Technology: An International Journal (ESTIJ), ISSN: 2250-3498
Vol.5, No.4, August 2015

previously reenergized. The inrush current is The relationship between λ and the inrush
the maximum instantaneous input current current is given by the saturation
drawn by the transformer when turned on. characteristic of the transformer core
magnetization inductance Lm.
The relationship between the voltage applied
to the transformer winding and the flux in the
The relationship between the magnetizing
transformer winding core is given as:
characteristic, flux – linked waveform and the
d λ (t )
e (t ) =
dt
or λ (t ) = ∫ e (t ) dt + λ (o) (1) magnetizing current is illustrated in figure 2.

Figure 1 Open circuit transformer

Assume in figure 1, a voltage e(t) = Vm cos
(wt + φ ) is applied to an open circuit
transformer at a variable φ , Taking e (t) as
sinusoidal, the flux linked will also be
sinusoidal but at 900 lagging or π/2 radians.
Considering the integral component from
equation 1 :
λ m = Vm / w. (2) Figure 2 magnetizing current and magnetizing
flux
Again, dc offset is also present resulting
from λ (o ) and φ . The expression During switching on of a transformer that has

Becomes been reenergized for some time, the

λ (t ) = λ m sin ( wt + φ ) + λ (o ) − λm sin φ ferroresonance causes the iron to vibrate at

(3) initial switching on of power, and produces

[

harmonic frequencies [2]. The output

During energization, the maximum value of frequency at the primary side F is F1 + Fh
λ occur at 2 λm + λ (o). (4) where F1 = fundamental frequency (usually

274
 IRACST – Engineering Science and Technology: An International Journal (ESTIJ), ISSN: 2250-3498
Vol.5, No.4, August 2015

50Hz for Nigerian power system), Factors influencing transformer inrush current
Fh = harmonic frequency. The terminal include the following;
voltage V rises to E + Vh where E = supply
voltage and Vh = harmonic voltage, the I rises • Voltage magnitude

to I1 + Ih where I1= normal current and • Condition of transformer iron core,

Ih = harmonic current constitute what is • The total loss in the ferroresonant

called switching magnetizing inrush current. circuit

• Transformer design.
Ferroresonance or nonlinear resonance is a
type of resonance in electric circuits which • Capacitance of the circuit
occurs when a circuit containing a nonlinear
• Residual flux (initial magnetic flux) in
inductance is fed from a source that has series
the transformer core.
capacitance, and the circuit is subjected to a
disturbance such as switching [3]. • Transformer iron core saturation
Ferroresonance is characterized by a sudden characteristic
jump of voltage or current from one stable
• Point on wave of initial switching.
operating state to another one particularly,
• Type of transformer winding
during switching on or off of transformers.
connection
When a transformer core operates near
• Lowering of frequency lead to
saturation, the B-H curve is highly nonlinear
increase in flux density. This can be
[4].
expressed mathematically as:
Causes of Magnetizing Inrush Current
KE
Ф= where Ф = flux,
For core materials prone to early saturation, F
an application of supply voltage to a F = frequency E = applied voltage and
previously reenergized transformer causes K is a constant. [5]
sudden rise in current termed ‘’inrush
current’’ resulting from initial magnetic flux
reinforced by the magnetic flux created by the Effects of Magnetizing Current
current drawn during switching on.
Under normal operating conditions, the
transformer magnetizing current takes about
275
 IRACST – Engineering Science and Technology: An International Journal (ESTIJ), ISSN: 2250-3498
Vol.5, No.4, August 2015

2-5 percent of the rated value. However, • The main electrical power system also
during switching on of power transformers, experiences noise and distortion
the inrush current rises up to 10-12 times full resulting from inrush current
load value and in distribution transformers,
• Inrush current flows only in the
the inrush current is as high as 25-40 times its
primary winding, thereby causing a
full load current [6]. As noted in [2], inrush
great difference between the primary
current is notorious in transformers and
and secondary windings of a current
induction motors.
transformer resulting into undesirable
Other effects include: operation of relays.

• Inrush current in transformers reduces its • Transformer inrush current exposes

efficiency, since the iron loss increases current transformers to considerable
with increase in inrush current saturation

• The core and core bolts of transformer • Current transformer saturation during
temperature increase which become transformer inrush current conditions
dangerous to the laminations insulation. could produce spurious zero-and
negative – sequence currents. When
• Inrush current in transformers causes
these spurious signals last long, are
interference with the operation of other
capable of causing wrong operation.
circuits.
Remedy
• Nuisance tripping of relays, circuit
breakers and melting of fuse elements • Inrush current can be limited by inrush
current limiters e.g negative
• Arcing and failure of primary circuit
temperature coefficient (NTC)
components e.g switches
thermistors. A thermistor is a
• Inrush current lead to over sizing of thermally-sensitive resistor with a
fuses and circuit breakers resistance that changes significantly
and predictably as a result of
temperature changes. The resistance

276
 IRACST – Engineering Science and Technology: An International Journal (ESTIJ), ISSN: 2250-3498
Vol.5, No.4, August 2015

of (NTC) thermistor decreases as its major attribute towards magnetizing current

temperature increases. [7] manifestation. Mitigating methods suggested
should be applied at all times in order to
• Transformer switching relay which
secure efficient and reliable power supply
deals with both power line half-wave
system.
voltage dips and is short circuit proof
References
• Flux controlled may be achieved by
1. Electrical4u (nd), Magnetizing Inrush
controlling the ratio E/F where
Current in Power Transformer, Online
E = applied voltage and F= frequency.
Electrical Engineering Study Site.
Electronic relays capable of measuring
Retrieved from
this ratio are available [5]
[Link]
• Time setting may be made long inrush-current-in-power-transformer/
enough for the magnetizing current to
2. Ezechukwu .O.A (2013) Problems of
decay before relay operation.
overvoltages/transients and their

• Protective relay setting higher than the mitigations, Engineering Science and

maximum inrush current.[8] Technology: An internal Journal

(ESTIJ), ISSN 2250-3498 Vol 3. No3
• Harmonic restraint relay may be
June 2013
employed
3. Wikipedia (10 October 2014),
Ferroresonance in electricity
• Filtering out the harmonic frequencies networks, Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.
[Link]
Conclusion
4. Csanyi E. (2015), Ferroresonance
Occurrence In Power Transformer, EEP
This paper set to examine the common causes
– Electrical Engineering Portal
of magnetizing current in transformers. The
discussion reveals that, though magnetizing 5. Verma R.(2015), Protection of power
transformer, LinkediIn Corporation
current is inherent in transformers, its value
during switching - on usually rises to 6. Littelfue (2015), Transformer
Protection, Littelfue POWR-GARD
dangerous levels. Selection of appropriate
Products [Link]
core material is important, as saturation is a

277
 IRACST – Engineering Science and Technology: An International Journal (ESTIJ), ISSN: 2250-3498
Vol.5, No.4, August 2015

7. Wikipedia (January 2015), Inrush

current, Wikimedia Foundation Inc.
Retrieved from
[Link]
8. Gupta, J.B (2007), A course in power
systems, Sanjeev Kumar Kataria for S.K.
Kataria and sons, 6 Guru Nanak Market,
Nai Sarak, Delhi-110006, Switchgear &
Protection-Transformer Protection pp 355
katarriabooks@[Link]

278